Archie chuckled. “I see Jessie set you straight, but it truly is world-famous. One of those German princes was over here hunting and demanded the recipe one year. The next year, we had a couple of gentlemen from Switzerland who had eaten it while visiting the prince, and when they asked for the recipe, he told them he wasn’t at liberty to give it and they would have to request it from the cook herself and told them about Rush City. So you see, it truly has caused a sensation all the way to Europe.”

“Well, the moniker seems truly earned. I look forward to sampling this delectable pie.”

They finished the stew and let Jessie refill their coffee as they continued to discuss the future of the railroad.

“What takes the longest,” Archie began, “are the trees and the water. They’re everywhere, and it’s a job to work around them. We’re getting there, though, and both are necessary for the line, so I can’t bring myself to curse them. Building a higher foundation for the track has been the trick. In places where the water saturates the ground, we lay a bed of gravel and build up from there. It’s working to make a solid foundation. We’ve got a lot of good wood from the trees. Some is great for ties, but a lot of that fine oak would probably make a fella some good money if sold to the furniture makers back east.”

Luke had never considered such a thing. “Seems it would be easy enough to ship the wood by train. I’ll let Mr. Cooke know about it and see what he thinks.”

Jessie returned and placed a plate of pie in front of each man. The pieces were huge, and blueberry filling oozed out from some of the flakiest crust Luke had ever seen.

“I didn’t bring you extra cream because it looked like you still had plenty,” Jessie declared. “Besides, some folks don’t like cream on their pie.” She shrugged and walked away, as if the thought was too much to discuss.

Luke chuckled and picked up his fork. “Well, here goes. I’ll try it without cream first and then with.”

Archie waited for him to try the pie before sampling his own. Luke didn’t even attempt to hide the smile that formed on his face.

“It’s good, huh?” Archie said, pouring cream over his pie.

Luke shook his head. “Good doesn’t begin to describe it. This really should be world-famous.”

Archie handed him the pitcher of cream. “She bakes ’em every day, and there’s never a piece left over.”

“I can see why. Say, Archie, I have an idea. Why don’t we terminus the railroad right here in Rush City? Once Mr. Cooke tastes this pie, I think he’d understand and approve.”